RCMP and Canadian Pacific railway police are still investigating a train accident in Innisfail last weekend that resulted in the death of a local man who was seen by rail crews lying across the track moments before his death.
“The focus of the investigation would be to find out what led the individual onto our track,” said Kevin Hrysak, spokesperson for Canadian Pacific railways.
Innisfail RCMP were not available for comment Monday but Hrysak said a CP freight train was travelling northbound through town at about 10:50 a.m. Saturday morning. About 200 metres south of the 42 Street rail crossing, crews observed an individual lying across the tracks, said Hrysak.
“Our crews did whatever they could to alert the individual; sounding the horn and putting the train into an emergency brake application but unfortunately it didn't make contact with the individual,” said Hrysak, adding the moving train could not stop before striking the individual. Sources contacted by the Province said the deceased was 35-years-old and resided in the Innisfail area.
Hrysak said emergency response crews, including Innisfail RCMP and the Innisfail Fire Department, were called to the scene.
“From a CP perspective these types of incidents are extremely hard on our crews,” said Hrysak, adding an engineer and conductor staffed the freight train. “Unfortunately they are always the first ones on the scene in these types of incidents. Each individual crew member takes it differently. As policy we did relieve them of duty and we will follow up on any type of stress counseling that is required.”
Hrysak said the train remained immobile until 2p.m. when the preliminary police probe concluded. The train resumed operation with a new crew.
“We will fully cooperate with local police in their investigation,” said Hrysak.
